If you are dealing with overwhelming debts that seem impossible to pay off without help, likely, you’ve already considered filing for bankruptcy. Most private debtors usually have a choice between Chapter 7 and Chapter 13 bankruptcy. The decision that they make will usually depend on the amount of their income and their income stability.

If you have a very low income or you have recently lost your job, you will likely benefit most from filing for Chapter 7 bankruptcy. If you have a stable income that is higher than average for your state, you may not be eligible to file for Chapter 7 bankruptcy, and you may need to go through a Chapter 13 repayment plan instead. If you are anticipating filing for Chapter 7 bankruptcy in the near future, the following are some things that you should avoid doing.

Don’t deposit any large amounts into your bank account

When filing for Chapter 7 bankruptcy, payments made to your bank account will be observed. This means that any strange activity, such as you allow a friend to temporarily keep funds in your account, could sabotage your possibilities for successfully filing for bankruptcy.

Don’t pay your creditors

You may be feeling under huge pressure due to the amount of communication you are getting from creditors, and, therefore, you may pay creditors when you can. However, when filing for bankruptcy, you should only pay off your normal bills and not your debts, since this interferes with the bankruptcy process.

Don’t use credit cards

Credit cards are addictive, and they are a form of debt. Avoid using them before and during your bankruptcy filing. If you can, cancel all of the credit cards you have and stop using them immediately, this will help you to set more healthy boundaries for your debt-free future.

Don’t wait to file

So many debtors imagine that they will be in a better position to file in a matter of months, so they decide to wait. The fact is that in the vast majority of cases, the best time to file is now.

If you are ready to become debt-free and start living a less stressful life, look into the possibilities that Chapter 7 bankruptcy could offer you.